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Liam Boyce downed Rangers in a dream debut for Hearts, but if he’d had his way he wouldn’t have been on the pitch to score the dramatic late winner.

The Jambos came from behind to win 2-1 and give Daniel Stendel his first league win as manager, dealing a big blow to the visitors' title hopes in the process.

Ryan Kent’s opener shortly after half-time left Hearts with a mountain to climb, but they did it after Boyce set up Steven Naismith for the equaliser before firing in the winner seven minutes from time.

Moments before, the Northern Irish international was hobbling a bit and looked set to be taken off.

However, an injury to fellow debutant Toby Sibbick meant the hosts had to use their final substitution to replace the on-loan Barnsley man, and Boyce was forced to muddle through.

He did more than that, marking his first appearance in maroon in the best way possible.

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“It was unbelievable,” he said. “I couldn’t believe the noise when the ball hit the net. Obviously you want to start well but we managed to get back into the match with Naisy’s goal, and then it just fell to me.

“My quad was a bit sore, so I didn’t want to shoot with my right foot. I cut back onto my left and it took a wee nick, but it felt brilliant.

“I took a knee to the quad in the first half and it felt a bit dead, so I went on the bike at half time to get it moving. Then I took another knee to the other side of my quad in the second half, so I felt like I had to come off.

“I said I’d play for ten minutes, then big Toby got injured so I thought ‘no way’ and I knew I had to keep going.

“Before the game I was nervous because I hadn’t played since [a week past] Wednesday, and I said that to my partner but she told me to just play my game and do what I do, and it can’t get any worse than that.

“So scoring a debut goal and winning takes the nerves away. I thought I’d scored in the first half and it settled me down a bit.

“There’s always pressure as a goalscorer. If you go a couple of games without scoring, you just need to keep getting in the right areas.

“I didn’t even think I was in the right area! I’d played a diagonal and couldn’t get into the box when it fell to me, but that’s what happens when you’re scoring goals.”

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Boyce’s arrival in Gorgie has brought a renewed sense of optimism that his goals can haul them off the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership table and out of relegation trouble.

Sunday only reinforced that, his strike earning an unexpected win and cutting the gap to Hamilton to just a point.

Stendel has admitted that the club’s league position has made it difficult to persuade signing targets to come to Edinburgh during the transfer window.

While a healthy wage and long term contract helped, Boyce explained why being bottom of the pile didn’t put him off making the switch from Burton Albion.

“We have to believe we can get out of trouble,” he said. “Before I came, obviously looking at it they were bottom of the league. But I was looking at the squad and knew the quality they have.

“Then I came in and the boys were all happy with the new manager and the way he wants to play. They were all buzzing.

“We’ve started the year well and that was the first goal we’ve conceded. We defended brilliantly,

“John Souttar was getting kicked in the face clearing balls, and that’s the kind of fighting spirit we’re going to need for the next few months because that’s the position we’re in.

“This was a win you wouldn’t expect the team bottom of the league to get, but that shows the togetherness of the team.

“I’ve only been here a few days but I can see it, and it’ll only improve the more I get integrated.”

Already, it appears that keeping Boyce fit will be key to Hearts’ chances.

The same has been said about Steven Naismith for around a year now, and the skipper showed why with a timely equaliser, set up by Boyce.

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The pair look like they’ll dovetail well in attack, and it’s taken just one game for the 28-year-old to appreciate what Naismith can do for him.

“Having Naisy in behind me really helps, he was flicking balls on and I just had to hold the ball up and wait for players,” Boyce explained.

“Naisy is so intelligent, he knows what way to pass the ball. He always plays it safe side, so you’re never scrapping for the ball.

“I knew what he would do because he was always looking over his shoulder, so I can anticipate what he’ll do.

“I thought his goal took a week to go in but it was a great finish. That’s the quality he’s got.”